Review: Twelve South HiRise 3

The Twelve South HiRise 3 is a wireless charging station that can charge an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and a pair of AirPods all at once! It is the latest charging stand to catch some attention. Let’s take a closer look!

HiRise uses less desk space than an iPhone alone to wirelessly charge all your devices. Its compact design uses just one plug and eliminates the mess caused by several chargers. It has a sleek design that makes it perfect for small spaces like nightstands. Founded in South Carolina, Twelve South is a small American business that has been designing beautiful Apple-inspired accessories since 2009. With a quick search on Amazon, we know there are a lot of choices when it comes to Apple accessories, so Twelve South prides themselves on paying attention to the little nuances and millimeters that take their products to the next level.

First Impressions

The HiRise 3 comes in standard packaging that is secure and protected. Included in the box is a charging stand, USB-C to USB-C cable (about 59 inches), and an owner’s manual. The HiRise 3 charging stand is elevated and sits at an angle. This should make it easier to quickly view notifications. While the surface is magnetic and will have no problem keeping your iPhone in place, I found that it may not be strong enough to keep your phone at that angle while in a normal case. However, having a MagSafe compatible case will do the trick. Twelve South recommends having a MagSafe compatible iPhone to dock, this includes all iPhone 12 and 13 models. 

Twelve South does not include a power supply, so you’ll also need a USB-C power adapter of your own. Once you have power running to this charging station, you’ll see the benefits of getting all three of your devices fully charged from 0 to 100 percent in about 2.5 hours. Your iPhone screen will be at the perfect angle for viewing, so you can pick up on any notifications you might receive while being charged.

Design & Performance

The 3-in-1 device definitely has a more unique look than other charging stations. The premium quality of the stand makes it feel structurally sound and keeps things in place. It holds my iPhone 13 Pro (without a case) perfectly and needs a slightly firm tug to remove it. My Apple Watch hovers the stand while being magnetically locked into position, while the AirPods are cradled for wirelessly charging all at once. It’s nice to have a stand that users can easily check alerts and operate the phone without needing to remove it. Twelve South claims that by making the front pad 92 x 63 mm (3.6 x 2.5 in) larger than a 55 mm (2.2 in) puck charger, the device is more stable and can handle 10 W of charging. AirPods can charge at a 5 W rate at the base of the stand, while the Apple Watch charges at 3 W on the rear of the elevated platform. The base of the stand for watch charging has been made to function with all Apple Watch models.

The Twelve South HiRise 3 charging stand shares a basic design with other 3-in-1 wireless charging stations. It is a three-dimensional structure with spots for charging wirelessly an AirPods case, an Apple Watch, and an iPhone. However, the HiRise 3 stands out for having a small, space-saving footprint and a sleek, yet stern, appearance that gives the impression that it was created by Apple. At the bottom there are four soft micro-suctions that keep the HiRise in place astonishingly well; in fact, you’re more likely to bump it and knock your devices off, than to tip the stand over which is quite important since this charger is likely to sit on your bedside table or nightstand. There is a status light close to the vertical pillar of the HiRise 3 that lets you know if your devices are charging properly, and if the charger is receiving adequate power. The HiRise 3 does not come with a power brick, so the status light will show whether your gadgets are getting adequate power or not. If the power block you are using is not strong enough, you will need to switch it out for another one to charge all three devices.

According to Twelve South, “HiRise 3 helps clear out your nightstand to retain a minimalist mood or make extra space for additional books.” The HiRise 3’s small size and simple design are undoubtedly its main selling points; if you’re convinced, you should definitely pick one up for yourself. Currently, it appears that this charger can only be shipped from the US. It is currently for sale and is available in matte black or matte white.

Final Thoughts

We have nothing but praise for the Twelve South HiRise 3 charging stand after testing it for a few weeks. It charges Apple gadgets, and it excels at that one important task. It’s also a great space-saving charger that fits well on a nightstand, but is also suitable for a variety of other settings thanks to its compact, contemporary design. The HiRise 3 stand sells for just $99.99. For more information or to purchase your own, check out the Official Website HERE.